Struggling with finals week? Get through it!

Alright, so for a lot of college students across the country, it's finals week. This last week of college for the year is bittersweet for most of us; the arrival of summer brings loads and loads of homework, studying, and unwanted textbook reading. The hardest part of it is looking forward from the stacks of books and papers and seeing that summer is right around the corner. To help ease the pain of finals, here's a few tips I'm trying to take myself!

-Make sure you don't completely cut the time for yourself: Even though most of your day may be consumed by classes, reviews, study groups and writing, don't forget that you still need to set aside some "you-time". Because this may be a little harder to do during these last couple weeks of school, there are some little things you can do to give yourself a little down-time. Paint your nails, watch your favorite show online (you probably missed it because you were studying), extend your shower time, go to a 45-minute yoga class, turn off your computer, phone, and tv and just read a book YOU want to read.

-Stay in touch with your galpals: This may be the last week you get to see some of your friends before they move back home for the summer! So don't let finals get in the way of your social interaction. Suggest a study group with your closest friends and take a quick break to get ice cream or coffee. You can also include your pals in some of your "me-time"...go get a quick mani-pedi, watch "The Hills" or "Glee" together...you don't have to spend the whole day together to get your doses of friendship in!

-Take the time to eat well and workout: Make sure you don't cut out these two crucial aspects of your life. If you have always worked out, make sure that you continue your workout schedule throughout finals week. Studies show that regular exercise and a good meal help to increase alertness, stamina, and most of all...energy. Try to avoid the crapola food in the vending machines...they won't do anything for you. Instead a quick Lean Cuisine or an easy chicken dinner will be a good break from studying and also a good source of energy for that crazy college body of yours. So skip the RedBull and head to the gym for a quick workout...you'll thank yourself in the end.